Update: As I mentioned here yesterday, I talked to Drew about this show. Story with his comments is here.

The official word: GSN (Game Show Network) announced today that the network has reached an agreement with comedy and game show star Drew Carey to create and host an original, primetime daily strip show for GSN. The new series is produced by Carey and Joe Roth, and will premiere in Spring 2011. The 40-episode show, as yet untitled, will feature a dynamic cast of Carey’s talented actor-comedian friends, along with occasional surprise guest stars, who will create a lively, unpredictable and hilarious half-hour of improvised sketch comedy, complete with audience participation. The show will be shot in January and February at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, in front of live audiences.

“We have always wanted to be in business with Drew,” said Kelly Goode, GSN’s SVP, Programming. “He is a huge talent who is beloved by audiences, and this series will be a perfect fit with our mission to bring fun, lively entertainment to our viewers.”

“I’m thrilled to be working with GSN—this is a real passion project for me,” said Carey. “My cast and the live audience and I will be having more fun than probably should be legal and, thanks to GSN, fans across the country will get to be a part of the fun.”

“Drew is both an extraordinarily talented comedian and a great friend,” said Roth. “I’m really pleased that this project gives us the opportunity to extend our professional relationship even further.”

Stand-up comic turned actor-producer Drew Carey has brought his golden comic touch to numerous hit television shows, including “The Drew Carey Show,” “The Price Is Right” and “Whose Line Is It Anyway?,” on which he served as host and producer. He has also attracted enthusiastic live audiences across the country with his Drew Carey's Improv All-Stars.

Studio head, producer and director Joe Roth is the founder of Revolution Studios. He is the former chairman of 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Studios, and Caravan Pictures, and co-founded Morgan Creek Productions. He has produced dozens of films and television shows, including the Tim Burton-Johnny Depp Alice In Wonderland, and the TBS sitcom “Are We There Yet?,” based on the Revolution Studios movie of the same name.